The future is now!
Moore’s law states that the number of transistors that can fit on a silicon chip doubles each year. About every 18 months, processing speed doubles. Big data is estimated to reach 68 billion dollars in revenue by 2025. These are merely 3 statistics in relation to the scope of tech. So, why are we telling you this?
There’s no question about technologies massive growth in our lifetimes. That in mind, there won’t be a shortage of talent seeking any time soon. If you’ve ever thought about a career in tech, we would love to give you some pointers! Here’s what you should know about going into the field of coding.
What kinds of jobs do coding engineers do?
Before we answer this for you, we want to open your eyes to the gravity and the scope of this question with a quick think.
Think of any – and we mean ANY – electronic device you use throughout the day. Do you have a smart phone? How about a computer? Does your car have an onboard interface? Do you use a digital streaming service? When you buy something at a grocery store, is the cashier using a register?
Now let’s take it even further. Your smartphone has apps on it, that were developed by software engineers. Those apps also have websites, that were developed by web designers and front-end engineers. Those websites have databases that store your login, password, perhaps items you’ve bought from that website or the app, etc. Those systems were designed by back-end developers. In some cases, an AI was designed to use recent purchase data to find out what future purchases may interest you.
I think I’ve made the point clear: coders give life to every single digital device you can think of. Whether it’s web development, data analytics, artificial intelligence, or video games, there is no shortage of careers that need intelligent minds behind them.
Where do I even start?
Of course, college is always a great option for anyone who desires to learn computer science. However, we understand that may not be the most appealing option for those who have financial concerns or already have degrees who find the time commitment to an entirely new career field scary.
Coding bootcamps are a great alternative! Most programs will teach you everything you need under a year (typically a 6-month program), and many schools offer both physical and online courses. While it can still be pricey with the average bootcamp adding up to 12k-13k tuition, many community colleges offer coding bootcamps within the 3000-dollar mark. It is also worth mentioning that the average developer makes anywhere from 70k to 100k a year, so the time and financial investment is well worth the return!
How many jobs are there in this field?
There is roughly 200k jobs in the US alone! On top of that, the field of computer programing is projected to grow 13% in between 2020 and 2030. For reference, the average employment growth rate is about 7.7%. Coding jobs are growing at almost double the rate of the average occupation!
In summation…
It may seem like a scary undertaking, but so is any new journey! If this is something you’re interested in, we highly encourage you to try! You’ll gain a new understanding of the complexities of the digital world. At best, you’ll enter a new career that is constantly evolving and will always challenge you to think outside of the box, problem solve creatively, and improve yourself every day. Who knows, you might even become our competition some day! Here are a couple free resources if you want to see what might be in store for you.
https://www.freecodecamp.org/
We can’t wait to see what you build!
